New Acquisition

We're delighted to announce that we have acquired the semi-works 350cc AJS that finished fourth in the 1914 Junior TT at 43.1 mph, ridden by Billy Jones. Although a private entry (through his company, North Wales Motor Exchange), Jones received significant support from the AJS works team, including a works-spec. engine and a “saddle” oil tank that allowed extra room for fuel in the main petrol tank.

AJS machines finished the five-lap race first (Eric Williams), second (Cyril Williams, no relation), fourth (Billy Jones), sixth (Bert Haddock) and 29th (Billy Heaton). Heaton had been lying in second place but crashed coming over the mountain for the final time, remounting and limping his machine home with a buckled front wheel. Third place was awarded to F. J. Walker on a Royal Enfield, although he had crashed with fatal consequences after crossing the finish line some 56 seconds ahead of Billy Jones.

The Jones TT bike remained in Wrexham for several years. Billy had it as a showpiece in his shop before selling it to a local man (also called Jones) who kept it until the 1950s. It had deteriorated somewhat by the time another Wrexham man, Eric Stevens, discovered and restored it in time to take it back to the Isle of Man for a parade lap of the course in 1959. Graham Walker persuaded Eric to loan the bike to the Montagu Motor Museum where it stayed until being acquired by John Griffith, who displayed it at his Stanford Hall Motorcycle Museum.

The last owner of the AJS was Ray Carter, who owned and cherished the bike since 1983. Ray used it on VMCC club runs several times before the woeful lack of braking power persuaded him to take it off the road a dozen or so years ago. It was no slouch on the road, apparently. Eric Stevens had it timed at over 70 mph over a flying half-mile after he’d rebuilt it!

This unique, sole surviving AJS from the 1914 Junior TT will now return to its spiritual home on the Isle of Man where it will be one of the stars of an impressive new TT and Manx Grand Prix gallery opening later this year at the Manx Museum in Douglas.